pensioner / retiree
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pensioner / retiree
A person who is no longer working and mainly supports themselves with a state or private pension. The female counterpart is 'die Rentnerin' (female pensioner / retiree).
Als Rentner hat mein Großvater endlich viel Zeit für seinen Garten.
As a retiree, my grandfather finally has a lot of time for his garden.
The word 'Rentner' (pensioner / retiree) is derived from 'die Rente' (pension), the money you receive in retirement. The ending '-ner' is a typical ending for masculine nouns referring to people that describe an activity or state.
Er bekommt eine gute Rente und ist ein zufriedener Rentner.
He receives a good pension and is a content retiree.
A very common phrase is 'in Rente gehen' (to retire), which means to stop working and begin retirement. If a person is already retired, you say 'er ist Rentner' (he is a pensioner / retiree) or 'er ist in Rente' (he is retired).
Mein Onkel geht nächstes Jahr mit 65 in Rente.
My uncle is retiring next year at 65.
The word 'Rentner' (pensioner / retiree) is often combined with adjectives that describe lifestyle or condition. Common combinations are 'aktiver Rentner' (active retiree), 'frühzeitiger Rentner' (early retiree), or 'frischgebackener Rentner' (newly retired person).
Mein Opa ist mit 80 Jahren immer noch ein sehr rüstiger Rentner.
At 80, my grandpa is still a very fit retiree.
grandpa
'Opa' and 'Rentner' can both be used for older men, but they do not mean the same thing. 'Opa' describes a family role: he is the grandfather. Informally, it can also mean an old man. 'Rentner', on the other hand, describes a life situation: the person no longer works and receives a pension. An Opa can be a Rentner, but does not have to be. A Rentner can be an Opa, but does not have to be either. The confusion arises because many grandpas are old and retired. For family, you say 'Opa'; for work and pensions, you say 'Rentner'.
Der Rentner geht jeden Morgen spazieren, seit er nicht mehr arbeitet.
The retiree goes for a walk every morning now that he no longer works.
Mein Opa erzählt mir oft Geschichten aus seiner Kindheit.
My grandpa often tells me stories from his childhood.